Looking at a Specific 1998 FORD WINDSTAR CARGO VAN?
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Safety and Reliability Ratings > 1998 > Ford > WINDSTAR

1998 FORD WINDSTAR CARGO VAN
Extended Cargo Van
Front wheel drive


CARFAX has collected the industry's leading used car safety and reliability ratings into one, convenient report. With this report, you'll know the safety and reliability of your next used car. All information presented in this report is specific to the 1998 FORD WINDSTAR CARGO VAN. Please view the CARFAX Vehicle History Report for the detailed history of a specific used FORD.

 

CARFAX Safety Section One  Safety:

This information will help you select a vehicle model that meets your expectations for safety and security.

CARFAX Safety Section Two  Reliability:

Use this information to check how reliable a vehicle model is before you buy.


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NHTSA Crash Test Results National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration
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Frontal Crash: Rating:   NHTSA Five Star Legend
Driver Rating 5 of 5  
Passenger Rating 5 of 5  
Side Crash: Rating:  
Front Seat Not Tested  
Rear Seat Not Tested  
Rollover Resistance: Rating:  
Rollover Resistance Not Tested  

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) provides 3 different ratings - full-width frontal crash test , side impact crash test , and rollover resistance . The frontal crash test indicates how well the safety features and restraints will protect an occupant in a head-on collision. The side-impact test conveys the chance of a severe chest injury, while the rollover resistance rating estimates the risk of rolling over in a single vehicle crash. Go to NHTSA to learn more about these results.


IIHS Crash Test Results Highway Loss Data Institute
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IIHS Crash Test Results for the 1998 FORD WINDSTAR CARGO VAN are not available in CARFAX Safety & Reliability Ratings.




Low-Speed Damage Repair Highway Loss Data Institute
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Front Crash Description: Front Crash Cost:
Front into flat barrier   Not tested by IIHS
Front into angle barrier   Not tested by IIHS
Rear Crash Description: Rear Crash Cost:
Rear into flat barrier   Not tested by IIHS
Rear into pole   Not tested by IIHS
Average Damage Per Test   Not tested by IIHS

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts four 5 mph crash tests to assess bumper performance. These results convey how well this 1998 FORD WINDSTAR CARGO VAN bumpers will protect the car body from damage in low-speed collisions. Low-speed damage repair costs are obtained from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Highway Loss Data Institute.


Injury, Collision, & Theft Indicators Highway Loss Data Institute
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The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) does not provide injury, collision or theft information for this 1998 FORD WINDSTAR CARGO VAN .

Index: Score: Rating:
Injury Index No data from HLDI No data from HLDI
Collision Index No data from HLDI No data from HLDI
Theft Index No data from HLDI No data from HLDI


These scores are stated in relative terms, with 100 being the average for all cars in each category. Scores greater than 100 represent higher risk in each category. For example, an injury indicator score of 122 means that a passenger in this model is 22% more likely to be injured in an accident. Injury, collision, and theft indicators are provided by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Highway Loss Data Institute.



Safety Recalls
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NHTSA Safety Recalls:
Important: The following recalls were issued for the 1998 FORD WINDSTAR CARGO VAN by the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA). To find out if a specific 1998 FORD WINDSTAR CARGO VAN still has open recalls that require repair, CARFAX recommends contacting an authorized dealership for more information.

Recall date: Not reported
Units potentially affected: 948,492
NHTSA campaign number: 01I007000
Defective part or component: SUSPENSION:I-BEAM:SOLID:FRONT SPRING:COIL
Description: This is not a safety recall in accordance with the Safety Act. However, it is deemed a safety improvement campaign by the agency. Vehicle Description: 1995-1998 Ford Windstar minivans. The front coil springs could potentially fracture due to corrosion. Some tires have deflated due to contact with a broken spring. Ford is extending the warranty for front coil spring replacement to a total of 10 years of service from the warranty start date, with unlimited mileage. This coverage is automatically transferred to subsequent owners at no charge. If either front coil spring fractures during the coverage period noted above, the dealer will replace both springs at no charge to the owner.
Recall date: 09-06-2001
Units potentially affected: 198,583
NHTSA campaign number: 01V199000
Defective part or component: SUSPENSION:INDEPENDENT FRONT ATTACHING MECHANISMS:SPRING:COIL
Description: Vehicle Description: Minivans originally sold or currently registered in the states of Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wisconsin, and in the District of Columbia. The front coil springs could fracture as a result of corrosion. Depending on the location of the fracture, a broken spring could move past the spring seat and contact a front tire. Some tires have deflated due to contact with a broken spring. Dealers will install protective shields around the front coil springs. Owner notification began September 6, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.


This 1998 FORD WINDSTAR CARGO VAN safety recall information was provided by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Highway Data Loss Institute and is derived from the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration list of safety recalls. Please call the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration Auto Safety Hotline at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236) to report safety defects or to obtain information on cars, trucks, child seats, and highway or traffic safety. CARFAX does not review, validate or edit the information and statements provided by the National Highway Traffic and Saftey Administration, which do not represent the opinion of CARFAX.



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J.D. Power Ratings
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Ownership: Rating:
Initial Ratings (up to 1 year)  
Overall Quality No data from source
  Mechanical Quality Rating 2 of 5
  Feature and Accessory Quality Rating 3 of 5
  Body and Interior Quality Rating 3 of 5
Overall Appeal No data from source
  Performance Rating 2 of 5
  Comfort Rating 2 of 5
  Feature and Instrument Panel No data from source
  Style Rating 2 of 5
Midterm Ratings (1-3 Years)  
  Mechanical Reliability No data from source
  Feature and Accessory Reliability No data from source
  Body and Interior Reliability No data from source
Long Term Ratings (3-5 Years)  
Overall Dependability No data from source
  Mechanical Dependability No data from source
  Feature and Accessory Dependability No data from source
  Body and Interior Dependability No data from source

J.D. Power and Associates uses selected highlights from the firm's quality and customer satisfaction syndicated studies to create the Power Ratings at the model-level. These ratings and awards are based on model rankings within each vehicle segment, whereas Power Circle Ratings compare all models across segments.

All information provided by J.D. Power and Associates is proprietary information owned by J.D. Power and Associates and is protected by U.S. and international copyright law and conventions. Reproduction of this information, in whole or in part, by any means is prohibited without the express written consent of J.D. Power and Associates, other than printing copies of the JDPA content by site visitors for their personal use. J.D. Power and Associates® is a registered trademark of J.D. Power and Associates.



Identifix Reliability Ratings
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Category: Comments: Rating:
Engine No data from source
Transmission & Driveline No data from source
Steering & Suspension No data from source
Brakes No data from source
Heating & Air Conditioning No data from source
Starting & Charging No data from source
Accessories No data from source
Identifix Legend


This 1998 FORD WINDSTAR reliability information was provided by Identifix. Identifix is the nation's largest technical support service for the aftermarket auto repair industry. CARFAX does not review, validate or edit the information and statements provided by Identifix, which do not represent the opinion of CARFAX.



Original Manufacturer Warranty
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Coverage: Years/Mileage:
Basic 3 years or 36,000 miles  
Drivetrain 3 years or 36,000 miles  
Emissions 2 years or 24,000 miles  
Corrosion 5 years with Unlimited mileage  
Transferable Transferable: no cost, unlimited owners covered.  
Roadside Assistance Roadside assistance is covered for 3 years or 36,000 miles.  
Safety Belt & Inflatable Restraint Safety belt and inflatable restraint system are covered for 5 years or 50,000 miles.  
Specific Components 8 years or 80,000 miles  
Notes: Manufacturer covers emissions components under basic warranty. Emissions coverage may vary by state. Refer to owners manual for specific details. Transferable: no cost, unlimited owners covered. Roadside assistance is covered during basic warranty. Safety belt and inflatable restraint systems are covered for 5 years or 50,000 miles. Alignment and wheel balance covered for 1 year 12,000 miles  

This 1998 FORD WINDSTAR CARGO VAN warranty information has been provided by J&L Warranty Pros.


New Car Test Drive Review
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Category: Review:
Summary:

Powerful, stylish and safety-conscious.
By Trish Robb, NewCarTestDrive.com

If family vacations are a top priority, then Windstar should probably be at the top of your list. It is probably the best touring minivan around. That's especially true if you really don't want that fourth door.

No, they are not cheap. Our GL test van stickered out at $25,300 including the 3.8-liter engine. On the other hand, a lot of folks do want a fourth door and we suspect the Family door isn't going to satisfy many of them.

Which means that you can probably get a pretty good deal on a 1998 Windstar.

Overview:

In the ever-competitive minivan market, the little differences can make a company's year, or make it miserable. The bigger differences, like the number of doors, can be even more significant. Which is why the Ford Windstar, late to the four-door party, has brought along a surprise guest this year: the Family Door.

It's hard to have any discussion about the 1998 Ford Windstar without someone mentioning That Big Door. Ford's official name is the Family Entry System. Ford insiders call it the More Door. The Windstar still has only three doors--a major disadvantage since Chrysler and General Motors front-wheel-drive minivans all offer an optional sliding door on the driver's side.

When Ford was designing the Windstar, its market research showed that minivan buyers didn't really care about having a fourth door. Wrong. Parents find the fourth door makes getting kids, especially little kids, in and out of the van a lot easier. It is being ordered on something like three out of four Chrysler vans.

The Windstar will offer a fourth door when it's redesigned for 1999, but the big door is the quick fix for 1998. By making the driver's door six inches longer and offering a driver's seat that slides and tips forward, you can now get kids in and out of the back on the left side of the van.

Obviously, one door is simply not the same as two. But that doesn't change our overall impression that the Windstar is a fine minivan.

It remains convenient to use and pleasurable to drive. A star performer in government crash tests, the Windstar also offers plenty of room for big families and lots of stuff.

Read the complete 1998 Ford Windstar review

© 2002 NewCarTestDrive.com

CARFAX does not review, validate or edit the information and statements provided by NewCarTestDrive.com, which do not represent the opinion of CARFAX.



Awards
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View awardees recognized by Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds.com, Polk Automotive, and J.D. Power and Associates.



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