1997 Ford Windstar problems & reliability
192 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1997 Ford Windstar, alongside 3 safety recall campaigns. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
4 complaints report injuries (5 injured).
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 43 | 22% |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 38 | 20% |
| Suspension | 38 | 20% |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 24 | 13% |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 21 | 11% |
| Steering | 13 | 7% |
| Structure | 8 | 4% |
| Electrical System | 7 | 4% |
| Seats | 6 | 3% |
| Wheels | 6 | 3% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Common symptoms owners describe
Keyword analysis of complaint narratives; one complaint can describe several symptoms.
Mileage when problems occurred
Half of the failures with a reported odometer reading occurred by 88,890 miles (middle 50% between 73,586 and 114,500 miles), based on 43 complaints that included mileage.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“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…”
Suspension · filed May 15, 2014
“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…”
Structure · filed Aug 22, 2012
“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…”
Suspension · filed Aug 10, 2012
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
Engineering Analysis EA08021 · opened Sep 17, 2008 · closed Oct 14, 2009 · led to recall 09V399000
- ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
Preliminary Evaluation PE08035 · opened May 13, 2008 · closed Sep 17, 2008
- WHEEL STUD FRACTURE
Engineering Analysis EA03004 · opened Apr 10, 2003 · closed Aug 30, 2004
- SUSPENSION COIL SPRING BREAKAGE
Engineering Analysis EA00027 · opened Dec 8, 2000 · closed Jul 31, 2001 · led to recall 01V199000
- SUSPENSION COIL SPRING BREAKAGE
Preliminary Evaluation PE00024 · opened Jun 23, 2000 · closed Dec 8, 2000
- FUEL TANK CRACKS
Engineering Analysis EA99020 · opened Jul 26, 1999 · closed Dec 16, 1999 · led to recall 99V309000
Technical service bulletins
176 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 1997 Ford Windstar. The 10 most recent:
For 1999-2003 Windstar vehicles Safety Recall 11S16 has been issued for vehicles that are operated in high corrosion areas for an extended period, where a front subframe lower control arm (LCA) rear attaching flange or…
16-0065 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 20, 2020
General (pcm) power train control module programming procedures. *tt
042107 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 13, 2004
Literature program 04l23. Customer maintenance reminder - aluminum wheel lug nut torque. *tt
04L23 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Oct 1, 2004
Groan/buzz/vibration when the gear selector is in park with the vehicle parked on an incline. *tt this bulletin updates previous bulletin 17358, dated 11/01/2003 to include 2005 models. *tt
17358 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 1, 2004
Malfunction indicator lamp illuminated with diagnostic trouble codes (dtcs) p0442, p0455, p0456, p0457 or p1442 or a check fuel cap lamp illuminated with dtc p0457 for the evaporative emission system. *tt
03203 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Oct 13, 2003
Remote keyless entry (rke) - service tips. *tt
03181 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 15, 2003
New transmission cooler flusher - service tips. 2003 escort and super duty f series included. *tt
03148 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 21, 2003
Slight amount of fluid residue on the outside of the rear wheel cylinder dust boot on vehicles with rear drum brakes. *tt
16987 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 1, 2003
Torque converter clutch not engaging when commanded and/or diagnostic trouble codes p0741 or p1744 stored in memory. Models from 1996 to 2003. *tt
03123 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 23, 2003
Malfunction indicator lamp (mil) illumination with diagnostic trouble codes p0442, p0455, p0456, p0457, p1442 or check fuel cap lamp illuminated with diagnostic trouble code p0457. *tt
0398 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 12, 2003
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
The 1997 Ford Windstar has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns — recall repairs are free at franchised dealers regardless of the vehicle’s age.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 1997 Ford Windstar?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.
- · Owners most often reported problems around 88,890 miles — budget accordingly if the car is approaching that mileage.