1996 Ford Windstar vs 1998 Ford Windstar
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 1996 Ford Windstar | 1998 Ford Windstar |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 1,386 | 1,433 |
| Recall campaigns | 3 | 7 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 177 | 236 |
| Investigations | 8 | 8 |
| Crash reports | 60 | 54 |
| Fire reports | 45 | 65 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 18 | 18–19 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 86,000 mi | 95,000 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Ford Windstar | Ford Windstar |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 470 | 196 |
| Power Train | 322 | 332 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 218 | 177 |
| Suspension | 111 | 229 |
| Electrical System | 83 | 111 |
| Steering | 50 | 143 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 82 | 73 |
| Wheels | 42 | 83 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Overheating | 53 | 0 |
| Check engine light | 52 | 13 |
| Stalling | 37 | 132 |
| Brake problems | 31 | 19 |
| Rust / corrosion | 28 | 80 |
| Misfire / rough idle | 23 | 0 |
| Vibration / shaking | 23 | 49 |
| Clunking / rattling | 20 | 23 |
1996 Ford Windstar
1998 Ford Windstar
Compare all Ford Windstar vs Ford Windstar years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.