1997 Ford Windstar

▲ Better than typical

1997 Ford Windstar
RENDERED 2026-08-02T10:04:56.446Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

1997: 192 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
1985	5
1990	6
1991	3
1992	2
1993	11
1994	23
1995	3326
1996	1386
1997	192
1998	1433
1999	1522
2000	1675
2001	1686
2002	1353
2003	1509
2004	24
2005	1

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

SUSPENSION 13%

13% of complaints: suspension — 25 distinct reports on file.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 11%

11% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 22 distinct reports on file.

FIRE

POWER TRAIN 10%

10% of complaints: power train — 20 distinct reports on file.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 9%

9% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 18 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

MY WINDSTAR ACCELERATED FROM A COMPLETE STOP AND SMASHED THROUGH OUR GARAGE DOOR VEHICLE STOPPED WHEN WE HIT THE FRONT WALL OF THE GARAGE. I DON'T KNOW IF THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK OR DRIVE WHEN THIS HAPPENED.

NHTSA ODI report, 19990518

POWER TRAIN 8%

8% of complaints: power train — 15 distinct reports on file.

FIRE

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19970630 — power train

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,

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TRANSMISSION AND REPLACE THESE SERVO COVERS.

Campaign 97V097000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19990616 — service brakes, hydraulic

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

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH NEW LABELS AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS.

Campaign 99V147000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19990726 — EA (closed 19991216)

FUEL TANK CRACKS

I 20000623 — PE (closed 20001208)

SUSPENSION COIL SPRING BREAKAGE

R 20000719 — exterior lighting

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 PHOTOME

Remedy: DEALERS WILL BE ADVISED TO DEACTIVATE THE RUNNING LIGHT FUNCTION AND TO COMPLETE ANY OUTSTANDING SAFETY RECALLS ON THESE VEHICLES.

Campaign 00V168000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20001208 — EA (closed 20010731)

SUSPENSION COIL SPRING BREAKAGE

R 20010906 — suspension

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 HAMPS

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 D

Campaign 01V199000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20011210 — suspension

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

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

Campaign 01I007000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20030410 — EA (closed 20040830)

WHEEL STUD FRACTURE

I 20080513 — PE (closed 20080917)

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

I 20080917 — EA (closed 20091014)

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

R 20091027 — vehicle speed control

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

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 CO

Campaign 09V399000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1997 Ford Windstar — pre-purchase inspection

Test/inspect for suspension issues (25 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (22 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for power train issues (20 reports on file for this year).
Verify recall 97V097000 (power train) has been completed.
Verify recall 99V147000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
Verify recall 00V168000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
Verify recall 01V199000 (suspension) has been completed.
Verify recall 01I007000 (suspension) has been completed.
Verify recall 09V399000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

● 2002 ● 1996 ● 1998

WORST YEARS

■ 1995 ● 2001 ● 2000

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1997 Ford Windstar reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1997 Ford Windstar is rated "better than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1997 Ford Windstar?

The most-reported component is suspension:front:springs:coil springs, accounting for 13% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1997 Ford Windstar have?

6 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.