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1998 Ford Windstar

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1998 Windstar.

Body VAN

The 1998 Ford Windstar is a van that utilizes 4.5 quarts of 5W-20 API engine oil. This model year is marked by 20 recalls and 2,440 total owner complaints, with the power train serving as the primary area of concern. In the context of the 1990-2005 model history, the 1998 iteration falls between the series high of 3,777 complaints in 1995 and the low of a single complaint in 2005.

Model year2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.5 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-20 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque100 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 65 · 650 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 65 · 650 CCAOEM · verified

Tire sizeP215-70R15OEM · verified

Wheel / rim5.5-, 6-JJ inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	201.2 in
Overall width	75.6 in
Overall height	68.1 in
Wheelbase	120.9 in
Curb weight	3730 lb
Track (front / rear)	64.2 / 63 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	61/39

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.5 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-4-2-5-3-6. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Engine Oil	5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	4.5 qt
Engine Oil	5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	5.0 qt
Power Steering Fluid	ATF

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs	7.4 ft-lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings	23-28 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts	55-65 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts	59 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	6-9 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	18 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	Upper: 14-
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	15-22 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	100 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	170-202 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub	221 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-4-2-5-3-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	25 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	25 rpm
Spark Plug Manufacturer	Motorcraft
Spark Plug Gap	0.042-0.046 in
Spark Plug Torque	7.0-15.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	Front A/C only, 2.75; front and rear A/C, 4.00. lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	68
Oil Capacity	Front A/C only, 10.00; front and rear A/C, 14.00. oz
Optional BCI Group Number	65
Optional BCI Cranking Performance	750 cca
Standard BCI Group Number	65

Service checks

Pressure Test	14-18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	183-190 °F
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)	30.0-45.0
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)	30.0-45.0
Injector Primary Resistance	11-18 DOHC ohms
Engine Oil Pressure	40-60 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM	2500 rpm

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket	26 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	85 ft-lbs / 11-14 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.040; Rear: 0.030 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness	0.030
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.0004 in / 0.0005 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.003 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	1.02 in / 0.472 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To	1.02 in / 0.472 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

30-34 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90-120

30–34 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages

1	59 ft. lbs.	59 ft. lbs
2	mum of one full turn
3	33-41 ft. lbs.	33–41 ft. lbs
4	63-73

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

1	14 ft. lbs.	14 ft. lbs
2	29 ft. lbs.	29 ft. lbs
3	36 ft. lbs.; Perform following 3 steps on each bolt; before moving to next bolt in sequence	36 ft. lbs
1	loosen 2-3 turns
2	if long bolt	30–37 ft. lbs
3	turn 175-185 degrees; Proceed to next bolt in sequence	175–185 degrees

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 5,000 mi; spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

At 5,000 mi	Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 5,000 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 10,000 mi	Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 mi	Engine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect)
Every 30,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
At 50,000 mi	Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 60,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 100,000 mi	PCV Valve (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 1998 Ford Windstar sits at the peak of a dramatic complaint spike within this generation, recording 2,440 complaints—more than ten times the 220 logged in 1997 and the highest count in the entire dataset. This year also saw the maximum number of recalls (20), NHTSA investigations (15), and TSBs (512) across the 1990–2005 record, indicating extensive manufacturer attention to widespread defects. The trend shows a pattern of surge years (1995 and 1998) followed by brief declines (1997), then sustained elevated complaint levels through 2003. The top complaint categories—Power Train (323), Suspension (309), Engine & Engine Cooling (272), and Service Brakes (157)—plus 99 crash-related complaints and 162 fire complaints, suggest systemic issues affecting multiple critical vehicle systems. The data does not specify a single root cause for the 1998 surge, but the combination of the highest complaint volume and recall count points to a model year with significant reliability concerns. Given these numbers, the 1998 Windstar is not a recommended purchase compared to later years in the generation, which show declining complaint trends.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

512

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

2,440

Owner complaints

99 involved a crash · 162 a fire

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’90 ’91 ’92 ’93 ’94 ’95 ’96 ’97’98’99 ’00 ’01 ’02 ’03 ’04 ’05

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 2,440 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train323

Suspension309

Engine & Engine Cooling272

Service Brakes, Hydraulic157

Electrical System153

Steering137

Vehicle Speed Control117

Wheels110

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 14 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

15V608000Suspension:Rear:Axle:Non-Powered Axle AssemblyReported 29/09/2015

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 1998-2003 Windstar vehicles manufactured September 2, 1997, to July 3, 2003. The affected vehicles were previously remedied to safeguard against the rear axle… Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brackets to verify their proper installation. If a bracket is found to have been misinstalled, the rear axle will be…

12V193000Power Train:Axle AssemblyReported 03/05/2012

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1998-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 1997, THROUGH JULY 3, 2003, AND CURRENTLY REGISTERED OR ORIGINALLY SOLD IN VIRGINIA. OVER TIME, CORROSION CAN WEAKEN THE… Remedy: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND INSTALL REAR AXLE REINFORCEMENT BRACKETS, OR REPLACE THE AXLES, AS NECESSARY. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 512 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
16-0065	2020-04-20	Structure	For 1999-2003 Windstar vehicles Safety Recall 11S16 has been issued for vehicles that are…
TSB160070	2016-04-21	Suspension	Safety recall 10S13 - Rear axle corrosion - requests for recall service action
16-0070	2016-04-21	Suspension	For 1998-2003 Windstar vehicles Safety Recall 10S13 has been issued for vehicles that are…
CSP-15-N-02	2015-09-29	Suspension	SUMMARY TO BE PROVIDED ON A FUTURE DATE.
TSB-14-0167	2014-09-09	Suspension	FORD: SAFETY RECALL CONCERNING REAR AXLE FRACTURING IF VEHICLE IS OPERATED IN HIGH…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Windstar. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 65 battery Vehicles taking 4.5 qt

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1998 Windstar take?

4.5 qt of 5W-20 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1998 Windstar have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 20 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.