Owner-reported complaints naming the steering system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1998 Ford Windstar submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 143 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
The 25 most recent of 143, in the owner's own words
MY FRONT CRADLE AT STEERING AREA HAS COMPLETELY RUSTED INTO FROM AC LEAK AND ROAD SALT VAN WAS SOLD IN VERMONT NOW IS LOCATED IN VIRGINIA UNSAFE ALMOST UNDRIVABLE TO FORD DEALER FOR A REAR AXLE RECALL FOR AXLE BRACES PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING POWER STEERING FLUID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED APPROXIMATELY ONE BOTTLE OF POWER STEERING FLUID PER DAY FOR IT TO OPERATE NORMALLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE SPINDLE AND RACK FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 97V165000 (STEERING); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 200,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN AND MADE A WINDING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SEVERAL MECHANICS FOR INSPECTION AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE RACK AND PINION FAILED AND WAS LEAKING FLUID. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE RECENTLY HAD HIS VEHICLE STATE INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE PASSED INSPECTION BUT THE FOLLOWING DAY THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THE "STEERING KNUCKLE" HAD TO BE REPLACED AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND MENTIONED THERE WERE NO OPEN RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,354.
WHILE DRIVING MY 1998 WINDSTAR @ 45MPH, I LOST TOTAL STEERING CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE AND MY VEHICLE VEERED INTO THE ONCOMING LANE OF A TWO LANE HIGHWAY. I WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL AFTER TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL APPROX 360 DEGREES TO THE RIGHT AND MANAGED TO STOP SAFELY. AFTER FURTHER INVESTIGATION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM BRACKET THAT IS WELDED TO THE SUBFRAME BROKE AWAY FROM THE SUBFRAME DUE TO A RUSTED OUT SUBFRAME. I'VE OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR THE PAST 8 YEARS AND NEVER RECEIVED ANY INFORMATION FROM FORD REGARDING THIS SAFETY ISSUE AS NOTED IN THE 1999-2003 FORD WINDSTAR RECALL WHICH HAS THE SAME ISSUE AS MY VEHICLE. ALTHOUGH FORD IS NOT GOING TO HONOR A SUBFRAME RECALL FOR MY YEAR VEHICLE, FORD SHOULD AT LEAST SEND A NOTIFICATION LETTER TO INFORM OWNERS OF THIS DANGEROUS ISSUE. BOTH MY WIFE AND KIDS DRIVE THIS VEHICLE, BUT HAD I AT LEAST KNOWN THERE WAS A DANGEROUS ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE, I WOULD HAVE PARKED IT. *TR
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 60MPH, I LOST CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE AND IT STARTED TO FISHTAIL AND SWERVE INTO THE NEXT LANE AS I TRIED TO REGAIN CONTROL IT SPUN AROUND AND FLIPPED OVER UPSIDE DOWN ON TOP OF THE GUARD RAIL AND LANDED FACING TRAFFIC. I RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES AND MY THREE CHILDREN WERE NOT INJURED. I WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR AXLE SNAPPED IN HALF ON MY VEHICLE AND THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS PART. I NEVER RECEIVED A NOTICE IN REGARDS TO THIS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION OF THE SUB FRAME WHEN THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE SUB FRAME WAS SEVERELY CORRODED AND THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE ALSO FOUND TO BE CORRODED. THE BRAKE LINES WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE SUB FRAME FAILURE AND DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIR. THE SUB FRAME WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 114,000. THE TIE RODS, FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS AND BATTERY HAD TO BE REPLACED WITHIN ONE YEAR OF OWNING THE VEHICLE. THE WHEEL CYLINDERS, BRAKE ADJUSTERS, SPRING KIT, DRUMS, ROTORS, SHOES, AND PADS ALL HAD TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, THE TURN SIGNAL LEVEL STOPPED WORKING FOR THE LEFT SIDE. WHEN THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED, IT WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THEN PULSATED BACK UP, AND THEN THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED. UPDATED 02/01/12
POPPING IN FRONT END WHEN TURNING OR HITTING BUMPS. THE POPPING SOUND WAS OFTEN. HAD NEW TIRES PUT ON, AND WHEN I TOOK IT IN TO HAVE FRONT END ALIGNED. FORD TECH. SAID FRONT SPRINGS WERE BROKE. WAS AN EST. OF $1200.00 ON IT CAN'T AFFORD. THIS WAS 5/20/2011. CONTACTED MFR ABOUT THE RECALL THAT WAS ISSUED ON THIS PART 7/12/2001. WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO, BECAUSE OF A TIME LIMIT. HOW CAN THEY PUT A TIME LIMIT ON SAFETY & PEOPLES LIVES BECAUSE THE SPRINGS ARE BROKEN,THEY CAN PUNCTURE THE TIRES AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. NOW WE ARE WITHOUT TRANSPORTATION. AND MY SON IS DISABLED AND HAS NUMEROUS DR. APPTS. MILES AWAY. BUT MY HANDS ARE TIED. THE MFR. DID ADVISE TO HAVE ANOTHER RECALL CHECKED OUT WHICH IS THE SPEED CONTROL BECAUSE IT CAN CATCH FIRE. WHEN I ASKED WHY, YOU JUST TOLD ME IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE.HE ADVISED IT COULD CATCH FIRE JUST SETTING IN THE DRIVE NOT RUNNING. I WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF EITHER ONE OF THESE RECALLS BY MAIL OR OTHER WISE UNTIL I CALLED TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS. HOW DOES THESE BILLION DOLLAR COMPANY'S KEEP GETTING BY WITH NEGLIGENCE? THERE ARE LOTS OF RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE. PLEASE HELP! *TR
1998 FORD WINDSTAR HAS RUSTED ENGINE SUBFRAME, WHICH, IF LETS GO WOULD CAUSE SIDE AXLE AND FRONT TIRE TO SEPARATE FROM VAN AND CAUSE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL,LOSS OF BRAKING, AND POSSIBLE ACCIDENT.THIS WAS DISCOVERED WHILE VAN WAS ON RAMP FOR OIL CHANGE . RECEIVED RECALL ON REAR AXLE CRACKING AND RECALL WAS DONE TODAY BY FORD. BROUGHT SUBFRAME PROBLEM TO THE DEALERS ATTENTION AND THEY STATED THAT FORD WAS FULLY AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM BUT COULD DO NOTHING ABOUT IT BECAUSE FORD HAD NOT ISSUED A RECALL ON THIS TIME. THE SERVICE STATION OWNER WHICH DID MY OIL CHANGE EXPRESSED AN OPINION THAT HE FELT THAT THE FRONT SUBFRAME RUSTING WAS INDEED MUCH MORE OF A CONCERN THAN THE CRACKING OF THE REAR AXLE WHICH HAS BEEN RECALLED BY FORD. AT PRESENT I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE MY WINDSTAR WITH THIS STRUCTURAL DEFECT AND I FEEL FORD SHOULD REMEDY THIS DEFECT IN THE SAME MANNER THAT THEY DID WITH THE CRACKING REAR AXLE. *TR
I OWN A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR(MANUFACTURE DATE AUG..1997. I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS FOR A WHILE. MY VAN WAS MAKING A WHINING GRINDING NOISE. GEAR IS HARD TO GET OUT OF PARK BAD POPPING NOISE WHEN BACKING UP...REPLACED ALL 4 WHEEL BEARINGS AND BOTH TIE ROD ENDS..STILL MAKING A BAD WHINING NOISE.3 DAYS AGO I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND THE STEERING STARTED ACTING WEIRD AND SHAKING AND THE BACK OF THE VAN STARTED SWAYING BACK AND FORTH .. WAS TOLD AT THE SHOP ABOUT THE RECALL ON AXEL I CALLED FORD AND WAS TOLD MY VAN IS NOT ON THE LIST MY VAN HAS A EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF CORROSION THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE BOTTOM THE SHOP TOLD ME THIS VAN HAS BEEN EXPOSED TO SALT. WHEN I BOUGHT THE VAN IT HAD A INSPECTION STICKER FROM PREVIOUS OWNER FROM ONE OF THE RECALL STATES.(PENS) FORD WOULD NOT GIVE ME ANY INFORMATION ONWHAT STATE IT WAS SOLD IN OR DEALER, WHAT BRAND OF AXEL THAT WAS BEING RECALLED (SAID THEY DIDN'T KNOW THE BRAND) COME ON WHAT COMPANY SPENDS MONEY ON PARTS AND DON'T EVEN KNOW THE BRAND OR MANUFACTURE THEY BUY FROM. I'M SCARED TO DEATH TO DRIVE THIS AUTOMOBILE.. I THINK FORD SHOULD HONOR THERE PROMISE TO ITS CUSTOMERS AND FIX THIS PROBLEM ON ALL 1997-2003 WINDSTARS NOT JUST CERTAIN MONTHS OF 1997 OR DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO LOSE THERE LIFE BEFORE THEY DO SOMETHING? FORD>>> YOU TOOK OUR MONEY FOR YOUR PRODUCT NOW STAND BEHIND YOUR PRODUCT. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR. THE VEHICLE HAD FAILURES REGARDING THE STEERING CONTROL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO LOCATE A RECALL IN REGARDS TO THE FAILURE (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 97V165000-STEERING: GEAR BOX: SHAFT SECTOR) YET WHEN CONTACTING THE DEALER, THEY WERE UNAWARE OF SUCH RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 166,593.
ON DECEMBER 16TH 2009. I WAS DRIVING DOWN WEST 117TH TOWARDS MADISON/LAKEWOOD IN CLEVELAND, OHIO AND WAS TRYING TO COME TO A STOP (SLOW DOWN AND STOP) TO ALLOW AN AMBULANCE TO PASS (THERE WAS A CAR IN FRONT OF ME THAT WAS ALSO SLOWING DOWNA ND THAT CAME TO A STOP AT THE STREET LOT)THIS IS ON A MAJOR STREET NEAR AN HIGHWAY INTERSECTION. I PUT MY FOOT ON MY BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN THE VEHICLE AND COME TO A STOP BUT IT WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN OR STOP. THE BRAKE HAD WENT OUT. I ENDED UP HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME HARD (AN SUV) AND DOING QUITE A BIT OF DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE. THE OTHER DRIVER VEHICLE WAS SO FAR AS I COULD TELL UNDAMAGED. ON MY VEHICLE THE FRONT LIGHT IS BROKEN, MY BUMPER IS DAMAGED, AND MY HOOD IS DAMAGED. I, MYSELF AND THE DRIVER I HIT COULD HAVE GOTTEN SERIOUSLY INJURED. SO FAR WE ARE BOTHFINE AND NO INJURIES OCCURRED. HOWEVER HE MAY TURN AROUND AND COME AFTER ME IF HE DECIDES TO. AND I NOW CAN NOT DRIVE MY VEHICLE. I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON MY VEHICLE BRAKE ABOUT A MONTH AGO AROUND EARLY NOVEMBER. MAYBE IN END OF OCTOBER. THE VERY DAY OF MY ACCIDENT (HAPPENED AROUND 12:15 NOON) I WAS GOING TO GO HOME AND CALL FORD ABOUT THE RECALL. THERE IS A WORLDWIDE RECALL ON MY VEHICLE MODEL AND MANY OTHERS. AND I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS SINCE I BOUGHT IT. I HAVE HAD TO MAKE NUMEROUS REPAIRS ON IT AND STILL HAD PROBLEMS AND THIS ACCIDENT. FORD SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS AND SHOULD COMPENSATE ME WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE IN GOOD CONDITION ESPECIALLY SINCE I HAVE SPENT SO MUCH TIME AND MONEY INTO REPLACEMENT PARTS FOR THIS WINDSTAR. OR GIVE ME MY MONEY BACK OR SOMETHING. I'M GLAD MY KIDS WERE NOT WITH ME WHEN THIS HAPPENED AND THAT THE MAN I HIT WAS ALSO ALONE AND IS OK. WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT THIS? I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE FOLLOWING ITEMS SINCE I GOT THIS VEHICLE: O2 SENSORS (BOTH), ALTERNATOR, BELT, WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADE, AND MAKE BACK BLADES DON'T WORK AT ALL, THE TRANSMISSION, THE STEERING COLUMN BOX, DOOR HANDLE AND COMPONENTS INSIDE AND MORE!
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING STEERING FAILURE EVER SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. HE HEARS LOUD, SQUEAKY NOISES EVERYTIME HE TURNS THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED BY A PRIVATE MECHANIC APPROXIMATELY FIVE TIMES, BUT THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 97V165000 (STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT SECTOR). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
STEERING RACK FAILURE. *JB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A GRINDING NOISE FROM THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN TURNED. THE STEERING WHEEL PULLED TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH. THE SERVICE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED, BUT INFORMED THE CONTACT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL # 97V165000 REGARDING THE STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT SECTOR DUE TO THE VIN, ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS.
VEHICLE HAS A DANGEROUS RACK AND PINION INPUT SHAFT STEERING GEAR. THIS IS COVERED UNDER RECALL 97V-165000, HOWEVER, AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER AND FORD MOTOR COMPANY SEVERAL TIMES THEY REFUSE ALL RESPONSIBILITY IN CORRECTING THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND FORD REFUSES TO TAKE ANY AND ALL CORRECTIVE ACTIONS. NHTSA WAS USELESS IN HELPING THE SITUATION. *JB
POWER STEERING RETURN LINE FROM RACK TO COOLER RUBBED ON FRAME OF 98 FORD WINDSTAR UNTIL A HOLE RESULTED IN LOSS OF MOST PS FLUID. DRASTIC LOSS OF FLUID OCCURRED DESCENDING BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAINS. WINDSTAR HAD ABOUT 125,000 MILES, AND THE DAMAGE TO THE HOSE WAS NOT VISIBLE FROM NORMAL INSPECTION. FLUID SPRAYED OVER HOT ENGINE PARTS BUT DID NOT IGNITE. *JB
WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT, THE DRIVER HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT. THE DRIVER HAS DIFFICULTY MAKING TURNS, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *NM
NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 97V165000; FORD ISSUED A STEERING GEAR RECALL. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN, BUT HAD SAME GEAR STEERING PROBLEMS AS MENTIONED IN THE RECALL. *AK
CONSUMER'S VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEMS AS MENTIONED IN RECALL97V165000 CONCERNING STEERING GEAR BOX FAILURE. THE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT REPAIR FREE OF CHARGE BECAUSE THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. *AK *NM
I HAVE REPLACED THE RACK AND PINION STEERING TWICE AND THE POWER STEERING PUMP ONCE ON MY 1998 FORD WINDSTAR.*AK
THE VEHICLE MADE A GRINDING NOISE AND WAS HARD TO TURN. THE MECHANIC STATED THERE WAS A RECALL, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED FOR THE RACK AND PINION. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB
1: STEERING ON VEHICLE IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY 2: STEERING WHEEL TAKES EXTRA EFFORT TO TURN VEHICLE LEADING TO LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE SOMETIMES. 3: FORD RECALLED CERTAIN VIN NUMBERED VEHICLES OF THIS MODEL YEAR, BUT MINE DID NOT GET RECALLED, BUT STILL HAS THE CONDITION.*AK
I HAD A METALIC GRINDING NOISE WHEN I STEERED TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT. I TOOK IT TO MY FORD DEALER FOR REPAIR AND FOUND THAT THE RIGHT AND LEFT TIE ROD ENDS WERE BINDING AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE ALWAYS HAD MY VAN LUBRICATED AND HAVE FOUND OUT THAT THESE TIE RODS HAVE NO GREASE FITTING FOR LUBRICATION. I VIEW THIS AS A SAFETY HAZARD AND COULD RESULT IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT IF LEFT UNATTENDED.*AK
BOTH FRONT TIE-RODS TOTALLY FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AT ONLY 50,000 MILES. *LA
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
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