1998 Ford Windstar electrical system problems
111 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the electrical system on the 1998 Ford Windstar — 8% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“We woke up this morning to the driver's side completely burned and melted. It had been parked sinced Monday. Fire inspector said it was definitely an electrical issue coming from the seat.”
filed Jun 8, 2022
“My mini van lights would flicker while I'm driving and even after replacing the starter in the car, it still turns off while I'm driving. There's rust coming from under the car, I smell a burnt smell when I'm driving. I'm having electrical issues, my car stops when it wants to in the middle of the…”
filed Apr 28, 2018
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related service bulletins
Malfunction indicator lamp illuminated with diagnostic trouble codes (dtcs) p0442, p0455, p0456, p0457 or p1442 or a check fuel cap lamp illuminated with dtc p0457 for the evaporative emission system. *tt
03203 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Oct 13, 2003
Electrical System problems in other Windstar years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 Windstar | 3 | 13% |
| 2003 Windstar | 280 | 19% |
| 2002 Windstar | 261 | 19% |
| 2001 Windstar | 223 | 13% |
| 2000 Windstar | 222 | 13% |
| 1999 Windstar | 209 | 14% |
| 1997 Windstar | 7 | 4% |
| 1996 Windstar | 83 | 6% |
| 1995 Windstar | 168 | 5% |
Other reported problem areas on the 1998 Ford Windstar
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.