1997 Ford Windstar: problems, recalls and reliability
6 recalls and 192 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is power train (18% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Oct 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 192 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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 mileage was 140,000 and the current mileage was 140,000.”Owner report · Suspension · May 2014
“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 mileage was 90,000. Updated 09/21/12*lj the vehicle was repaired by a local mechanic at the owner's expense. The dealer was made aware of failures. Updated 09/26/2012 *js”Owner report · Suspension · Aug 2012
“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 needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.”Owner report · Structure · Aug 2011
Show 7 more owner reports
“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. They say it is not covered under any recall... Please help me better understand why ford wont fix this defect. *tr”Owner report · Suspension · Apr 2011
“I had my 97 windstar fan fixed due to recall # 09s09:speed control system modification. Ever since then the ABS and parking lights have been coming on. We have had the codes reset, but they keep appearing. I have also called the ford dealer where the repair was done, but they say it is not covered in the recall to check the scds, or that if it wasn't leaking then, they did not have to replace that part. I am very frustrated. *tr”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jan 2010
“ABS and brake light on same time. Notice brake fluid leak. Refill brake fluid often. Speedometer needle sways erratically for about 2 years. Cruise control inoperable for 2 years. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes, Electric · Feb 2009
“Tl*the contact owns a 1997 ford windstar. While driving 20 mph the passenger side tire exploded causing the front end to hit the ground. The contact observed that the front coil spring was broken. The vehicle was not diagnosed by a dealer. The current and failure mileages were 132,000.”Owner report · Suspension · Apr 2008
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 ford windstar. While driving at 45 mph the power steering failed. The front spring failed and punctured the front passenger tire. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to the side of the road. The contact stated that recall #01i007000: suspension:front:springs:coil springs was related to the failure. The manufacturer advised the contact that the recall expired. The current and failure mileage was 142,000. *ak”Owner report · Steering · Mar 2007
“Our 1997 ford windstar minivan that is currently subjected to the recall for the faulty cruise control switch burned to the ground on feb 21, 2007 as the result from a fire that started in the engine area. *tr”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Feb 2007
“Tl*- the contact was sitting in van , the vehicle was turned off. The van stated to fill up with smoke. At which point he looked at the driver seat and noticed that the van was on fire. The he put out the initial fire. When he looked under the driver seat he noticed there were more flames. The next day he saw that there were wires under the seat. He was able to drive the va with the seat is damaged due to the fire. Contact drive the van home.”Owner report · Seats · Dec 2006
When filing, owners marked a crash in 6 of these complaints and injuries in 5 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 6 campaigns
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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL BE ADVISED TO DEACTIVATE THE RUNNING LIGHT FUNCTION AND TO COMPLETE ANY OUTSTANDING SAFETY RECALLS ON THESE VEHICLES.
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."
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH NEW LABELS AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS.
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TRANSMISSION AND REPLACE THESE SERVO COVERS.
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. NOTE: THE 1997-1998 WINDSTAR MINI VANS ARE ALSO COVERED BY NHTSA SAFETY RECALL 01V-199/FORD RECALL 01S19. THE MINI VANS COVERED BY THE SAFETY RECALL WERE 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.
Remedy: 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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1997 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Windstar by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1997 Ford Windstar reliable?
NHTSA has 192 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns on record for the 1997 Ford Windstar. The most complained-about area is power train (18% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1997 Ford Windstar problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 88,890 miles or less.
Does the 1997 Ford Windstar have open recalls?
6 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning vehicle speed control. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.