Complaints
249
Crashes
6
Fires
11
Injuries
5
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 1997 Ford Windstar Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#125 complaints
Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs
Avg mileage:106,648 mi
#222 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
Avg mileage:78,445 mi
Fires:1
#320 complaints
Transmission / Drivetrain
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1997 Ford Windstar.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs | 25 | — | — | 106,648 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 22 | — | 1 | 78,445 mi | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 20 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 18 | 1 | 2 | 114,897 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 15 | — | 1 | 146,000 mi | |
| Engine & Cooling | 10 | — | 1 | 79,172 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 10 | — | — | — | |
| Parking Brake:Conventional | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 5 | — | — | 90,000 mi | |
| Suspension:Front | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Wheels:Rim | 5 | — | — | 70,000 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 4 | — | 3 | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 4 | — | 1 | — | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 3 | 2 | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm) | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Defects | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Abs Warning Light | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Drum | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Steering:Gear Box (Other Than Rack And Pinion) | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly | 2 | 1 | — | — |
Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs
25
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
106,648
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
22
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
78,445
Transmission / Drivetrain
20
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Unintended Acceleration
18
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
2
Avg Miles
114,897
Automatic Transmission
15
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
146,000
Engine & Cooling
10
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
79,172
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
10
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Parking Brake:Conventional
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension Failures
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
90,000
Suspension:Front
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Wheels:Rim
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
70,000
Electrical Faults
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
3
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat-Related Issues
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Hydraulic Brakes
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Air Bags:Frontal
3
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm)
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Frame And Members
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tire Defects
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Abs Warning Light
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Drum
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering:Gear Box (Other Than Rack And Pinion)
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1997 Ford Windstar. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Ford Windstar Years
1997 Ford Windstar — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1997 Ford Windstar reliable?
Verdict: Below Average Complaints. The 1997 Ford Windstar has 249 NHTSA complaints, 6 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs with 25 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1997 Ford Windstar?
Top reported problems: Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs (25 complaints, avg 106,648 mi); Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine (22 complaints, avg 78,445 mi); Transmission / Drivetrain (20 complaints). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 1997 Ford Windstar?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 102,419 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 1997 Ford Windstar?
NHTSA complaints for the 1997 Ford Windstar include 6 crash-related reports, 11 fire reports, 5 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1997 Ford Windstar have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1997 Ford Windstar as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1997 Ford Windstar?
Fewer complaints than typical for this model. That's a good sign, but every individual car is different — the VIN still tells you what happened to this specific one.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Ford Windstar reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1997 Ford Windstar
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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