1997 Ford Windstar Recalls, Complaints & Specs
5 safety recalls list the 1997 Ford Windstar, and owners have filed 192 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
5 safety recalls for the 1997 Ford Windstar
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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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 mercury mountaineer, 1995-1997 and 2001-2003 ranger, and 1994 f53 vehicles equipped with the texas instruments speed control deactivation…
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…
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Coil springs (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 hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virginia, and wisconsin, and in the district of columbia. The…
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…
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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 photometric requirements of FMVSS 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." according to ford, the vehicles were imported into…
Remedy: Dealers will be advised to deactivate the running light function and to complete any outstanding safety recalls on these vehicles.
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Master cylinder (service brakes)
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…
Remedy: Owners will be provided with new labels and installation instructions.
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Automatic transmission (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, transmission fluid will leak contacting the catalytic converter.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the transmission and replace these servo covers.
192 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 1997 Ford Windstar have filed 192 complaints with NHTSA; 6 describe a crash and 9 describe a fire. Reports cite 5 injuries and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 95,385 miles. Complaints peaked in 2001 with 39 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, May 15, 2014 · Suspension
“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 c”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, August 22, 2012 · Structure
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 1997 Ford Windstar (Windstar FWD Van, Windstar FWD Wagon). Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 17–18 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 15 / 21–23 |
| Fuel | Regular |
| EPA class | Special Purpose Vehicles |
| Engine | 6 cyl, 3/3.8 L |
| Transmission | Automatic 4-spd |
Compare Ford Windstar model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Ford Windstar model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 Ford Windstar | 0 | 5 |
| 1990 Ford Windstar | 0 | 6 |
| 1991 Ford Windstar | 0 | 3 |
| 1992 Ford Windstar | 0 | 2 |
| 1993 Ford Windstar | 0 | 11 |
| 1994 Ford Windstar | 0 | 23 |
| 1995 Ford Windstar | 6 | 3,326 |
| 1996 Ford Windstar | 8 | 1,386 |
| 1997 Ford Windstar | 5 | 192 |
| 1998 Ford Windstar | 11 | 1,433 |
| 1999 Ford Windstar | 11 | 1,522 |
| 2000 Ford Windstar | 15 | 1,675 |
| 2001 Ford Windstar | 15 | 1,686 |
| 2002 Ford Windstar | 8 | 1,353 |
| 2003 Ford Windstar | 8 | 1,510 |
| 2004 Ford Windstar | 0 | 24 |
| 2005 Ford Windstar | 0 | 1 |
Checking a specific 1997 Ford Windstar
How do I know if my 1997 Ford Windstar has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 5 campaigns currently list the 1997 Ford Windstar; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Ford dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 00V168000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Ford models
- F-15037,961 complaints
- Explorer34,566 complaints
- Escape27,430 complaints
- Fusion22,405 complaints
- Focus22,096 complaints
- Taurus18,159 complaints
- Edge14,065 complaints
- Expedition9,359 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.