1997 Ford Windstar Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Windstar years
- Far fewer complaints than other years 9th of 11 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 5 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 192 complaints with NHTSA about the 1997 Ford Windstar. That ranks 9th out of 11 Windstar model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is power train (43 complaints, 22%), typically at around 146,000 miles. Complaints mention 6 crashes, 9 fires, 5 injuries. There are 5 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 6 defect investigations involving it.
- 192owner complaints
- 5safety recalls
- 6NHTSA investigations
- 6complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 1997 Ford Windstar problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 43 | 22% | 146,000 | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 38 | 20% | 77,000 | — | — |
| Suspension | 38 | 20% | 100,349 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 24 | 13% | 88,890 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 21 | 11% | 90,051 | — | — |
| Steering | 13 | 7% | 75,172 | — | — |
| Structure | 8 | 4% | 49,000 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 7 | 4% | 135,000 | — | — |
| Seats | 6 | 3% | 115,000 | — | — |
| Wheels | 6 | 3% | 78,500 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 5 | 3% | 77,000 | — | — |
| Parking Brake | 5 | 3% | — | — | — |
| Tires | 4 | 2% | 82,000 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 4 | 2% | 94,000 | — | — |
| Visibility | 4 | 2% | 140,000 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 3 | 2% | — | — | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 3 | 2% | 75,172 | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 3 | 2% | 139,000 | — | — |
| Equipment | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Interior Lighting | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Air | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Electric | 1 | 1% | 100,000 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
1997 Ford Windstar recalls (5)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Vehicle speed control
Problem: Ford is recalling model years 1995-2003 windstar, 2000-2003 excursion diesel, 1993-1997 and 1999-2003 f-250 sd through f-550 sd diesel, 1992-2003 e-150 through e-550, 1995-2002 explorer, 1997 and 2002 mercury mountaineer, 1995-1997 and 2001-2003 ranger, and 1994 f53 vehicles equipped with the texas instruments speed control deactivation switch (scds). The scds may leak internally and then overheat, smoke, or burn.
Risk: A vehicle fire could occur with or without the engine running.
Fix: Ford will notify owners that dealers will install a fused wiring harness in line with the scds. On 1999-2003 windstar vehicles with a leaking scds, dealers will also inspect the abs control module connector and repair as necessary. Repairs will be completed free of charge. The safety recall began on october 27, 2009. Owners may contact ford at 1-888-222-2751.
Suspension:front:springs:coil springs
Problem: On certain minivans originally sold in 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.
Risk: Some tires have deflated due to contact with a broken spring.
Fix: 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.
Exterior lighting
Problem: Vehicle description: mini vans, light pickup trucks, and sport utility vehicles. Off lease canadian vehicles equipped with daytime running lights which meet canadian requirements and not the photometric requirements of fmvss 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." according to ford, the vehicles were imported into the u.s. Erroneously.
Risk: The light given off from the daytime running lights is brighter than allowed by u.s. Standards.
Fix: Dealers will be advised to deactivate the running light function and to complete any outstanding safety recalls on these vehicles.
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:master cylinder
Problem: Vehicle description: minivans. The brake fluid master cylinder is recessed and oriented in the engine compartment so that the brake fluid warning statement embossed on both the top of the filler cap and the side of the reservoir body are not entirely visible by direct view. These vehicles may not fully comply with requirements of fmvss no. 135, "passenger car brake systems."
Fix: Owners will be provided with new labels and installation instructions.
Power train:automatic transmission
Problem: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with ax4s automatic transaxles. The low/intermediate servo cover can separate from the transaxle while the vehicle is being driven. If this occurs, transmission fluid will leak contacting the catalytic converter.
Risk: The catalytic converter temperature may be hot enough to ignite the transmission fluid and cause a vehicle fire.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the transmission and replace these servo covers.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Engine compartment fires (EA08021) — opened Sep 17, 2008, closed Oct 14, 2009, led to recall 09V399000.
- Engine compartment fires (PE08035) — opened May 13, 2008, closed Sep 17, 2008.
- Wheel stud fracture (EA03004) — opened Apr 10, 2003, closed Aug 30, 2004.
- Suspension coil spring breakage (EA00027) — opened Dec 8, 2000, closed Jul 31, 2001, led to recall 01I007000.
- Suspension coil spring breakage (PE00024) — opened Jun 23, 2000, closed Dec 8, 2000.
- Fuel tank cracks (EA99020) — opened Jul 26, 1999, closed Dec 16, 1999, led to recall 99V309000.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
Tl* the contact owns 1997 ford windstar. The contact stated while traveling 65 mph the rear axle beam became fractured. The manufacturer was notified of the defect. A private mechanic stated that the rear axle beam needed to be replaced. There were no repairs made on the vehicle. The failure…
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 ford windstar. The contact stated that after having the vehicle inspected, he was notified that the vehicle failed to pass the state inspection due to the sub frame being completely corroded. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the sub-frame…
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 ford windstar. The contact stated that while driving 40 mph, the track bar detached from the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle began to wobble excessively. The manufacturer was notified of the issue and advised the contact not to drive the vehicle. The failure…
I purchased a 1997 ford windstar and from what i understand is that there was a recall on the coil springs/suspension. (recall#01i00700) < i believe this is the recall #. Long story short my front tires are flat doue to the coil springs. None of the dealers i took it to are willing to fix this…
My windstar gl wouldn't start. I replaced the range selector switch. When i restarted the vehicle i forgot the reconnect the brake pressure sensor wiring connector and the abs light came on. I tried to get the code cleared but no-one could access the code. I took the van to the dealer for a recall…
Other Ford Windstar years
← 1996 Windstar · 1998 Windstar →
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 Windstar | 1 | 0 |
| 2004 Windstar | 24 | 0 |
| 2003 Windstar | 1,510 | 8 |
| 2002 Windstar | 1,353 | 8 |
| 2001 Windstar | 1,686 | 15 |
| 2000 Windstar | 1,675 | 15 |
| 1999 Windstar | 1,522 | 11 |
| 1998 Windstar | 1,433 | 11 |
| 1997 | 192 | 5 |
| 1996 Windstar | 1,386 | 8 |
| 1995 Windstar | 3,326 | 6 |
See all Ford Windstar problems by year, every Ford model, or the Ford VIN decoder.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1997 Ford Windstar?
Owners most often report power train, engine and engine cooling, suspension problems. The top one, power train, accounts for 43 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 1997 Ford Windstar?
Yes, 5 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 1997 Ford Windstar a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Windstar model years, the 1997 has far fewer complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.