Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full
Data refreshed
Our database holds 192 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1997 Ford Windstar. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Showing 1–25 of 192 · page 1 of 8
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.
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.
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
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
MY WINDSTAR GL WOULDN'T START. I REPLACED THE RANGE SELECTOR SWITCH. WHEN I RESTARTED THE VEHICLE I FORGOT THE RECONNECT THE BRAKE PRESSURE SENSOR WIRING CONNECTOR AND THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON. I TRIED TO GET THE CODE CLEARED BUT NO-ONE COULD ACCESS THE CODE. I TOOK THE VAN TO THE DEALER FOR A RECALL NOTICE ON THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM AND HAD THEM LOOK INTO WHY THE ABS LIGHT WAS ON. I WAS TOLD THE ABS MODULE HAD QUIT AND NEEDED REPLACED. THE MODULE IS $1500.00 AND $300.00 TO INSTALL. THAT'S MORE THAN THE VAN IS WORTH. I SEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND OUT MANY OTHER WINDSTAR OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM HAS ALSO QUIT AND THE DEALER REP. TELLS ME THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL ALSO GOES THROUGH THIS MODULE. WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF FIRE IT SEEMS RATHER IRRESPONSIBLE FOR FORD TO DO NOTHING MORE THAN INSTALL A FUSIBLE LINK AS A SAFETY MEASURE. I AM LOOKING INTO BUYING A USED MODULE TO REPAIR THE CRUISE AND ABS. THE FAILURE IS TOTAL. NEITHER THE CRUISE CONTROL OR THE ABS SYSTEM WORKS AT THIS TIME. *TR
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
I TURNED THE AIR CONDITIONING ON IN THE VAN AND AFTER ABOUT 10 MINUTES, TURNED IT TO THE 'MAX AC' POSITION. THE HOOD STARTED STEAMING SO I TURNED THE AIR COMPLETELY OFF. AFTER LESS THAN A MINUTE, I NOTICED THE HOOD WAS SMOKING SO I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IMMEDIATELY. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND EXITED THE VAN AND SAW THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE HOOD WAS ON FIRE. I RAN TO THE PASSENGER SIDE AND OPENED THE SLIDING DOOR, AND GOT MY 18 MONTH OLD AND 4 YEAR OLD OUT OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER WE WERE ALL A SAFE DISTANCE AWAY I SAW THAT MOST OF THE HOOD OF THE VAN WAS IN FLAMES. BY THE TIME THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED ABOUT 5 MINUTES LATER, THE ENTIRE HOOD WAS ON FIRE WITH A LOT OF BLACK SMOKE. THE ENTIRE ENGINE COMPARTMENT LOOKS CHARRED AND PARTIALLY MELTED. THE VEHICLE IS BEYOND REPAIR. I'M THANKFUL MY CHILDREN ARE SAFE BUT I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY (FAILURE) OF THIS VEHICLE. *TR
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
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS ABNORMALLY LOW. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, HE NOTICED THAT THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS FRACTURED DUE TO EXCESSIVE RUST. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE TIRES TO DEFLATE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 01V199000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS); THEREFORE, THEY WOULD NOT ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED ACCORDING TO THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000. UPDATED 6/4/09 *CN THE EXHAUST SYSTEM WAS REPLACED AND BRAKE LINES SNAPPING. UPDATED 06/09/09.*JB
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
NOTICED THAT I WAS LEAKING SOME BRAKE FLUID FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS ON MY 1997 FORD WINDSTAR BUT VERY LITTLE AT THAT. ABOUT THE SAME TIME THE CRUISE CONTROL QUIT WORKING. ONE DAY WHILE DRIVING I NOTICED A LOT OF SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. RAISED THE HOOD BUT THE SMOKE HAD QUIT. GOT BACK HOME AND NOTICED THIS AGAIN WHEN I WAS STOPPED IN THE DRIVEWAY. CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD AGAIN AND FOUND THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH WAS SMOKING AND VERY HOT. WENT TO THE FORD DEALER TO CHECK IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS AND THERE WAS NOT . INSTALLED THE REPLACEMENT PART WITH PLUG ADAPTOR AND THIS FIXED THE PROBLEM WITH SMOKING AND THE CRUISE STARTED WORKING AGAIN. NOTICED ON THE NET THIS SAME PART THAT IS IN MY WINDSTAR IS ALSO IN OTHER VEHICLES THAT HAS BEEN RECALLED. WHY IS THIS? THIS COULD HAVE EASILY CAUGHT FIRE AND BEEN A TOTAL LOSS TO THE VAN AND IF IT HAD BEEN PARKED IN THE GARAGE THE HOUSE ALSO. *TR
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.
1997 FORD WINDSTAR RECALL FOR COIL SPRINGS. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE RECALL WAS NOT REPAIRED IN 2001 WHEN IT WAS RECEIVED BECAUSE THE DEALER STATED THAT IF THEY WERE NOT BROKEN THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE IT, THEY WOULD JUST PUT PLASTIC SHIELDS OVER THEM. NOW DEALER STATES THAT THE RECALL EXPIRED. *KB
I HAVE 1997 FORD WINDSTAR. FEB. 1, 2007 I WAS GOING ABOUT 20 MPH, ANDPASSENGER FRONT SPRING SHATTERED. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED. MY MECHANIC SAUD I WAS LUCKY I WAS NOT ON THE EXPRESSWAY WHEN IT HAPPENED. I HAD IT FIXED, IT COST ME $1036.00. I CALLED FORD TO TRY AND GET REIMBURSED, AND THEY TOLD ME THAT I DID NOT HAVE IT REPAIRED AT A FORD DEALER. IF I HAD KNOWN THEY WERE BAD I WOULD HAVE. I NEVER RECEIVED ANY WARNING AT ALL. THEY DID NOT EVEN HAVE ME DOWN AS THE REGISTERED OWNER. HERE IS THE RECALL # 011007000, FRONT COIL SPRING CORROSION. THEY SAID IT COVERS FROM 1995-1998 WINDSTARS. HERE IS MY VIN. #2FMDA514VBD14446. ALL I WOULD LIKE IS TO GET SOME OF MY MONEY BACK, I LIVE ON $699. A MONTH, AND FOR THEM TO ADMIT I WAS COVERED. THEY ARE BEING REALLY NASTY ABOUT THIS. I WAS TOLD TO CALL BY FOX 6 IN MILWAUKEE, KATRINA CRAVY CONSUMER REPORTER. *AK
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
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.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONSTANTLY, AND THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT LOCATED ON THE GEARSHIFT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THIS WAS ACCOMPANIED BY A STRONG SMELL OF SOMETHING ELECTRICAL BURNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE SENSOR ON THE MASTER CYLINDER HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE, AND ALSO BURNED THE WIRING HARNESS BETWEEN THE MASTER CYLINDER AND THE TRANSMISSION. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE SENSOR ON THE MASTER CYLINDER, ON THE TRANSMISSION, AND THE WIRING HARNESS, WHICH CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL # 05V388000, WHICH PERTAINS TO THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IMMOBILE WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING, SMOKE ERUPTED FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE ENGINE WAS IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF AND THE VEHICLE WAS VACATED. THE HOOD WAS RAISED AND FLAMES LOOKED AS IF THEY IT WAS COMING OUT OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE HOME OF THE CONTACT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL #97V097000 PERTAINING TO THE POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE FUEL TANK CRACKED RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE FUEL TANK WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT IS THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND EXPLAINED THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT.
I OWN A 1997 FORD WINDSTAR, OVER THE COURSE OF A MONTH MY HUSBAND AND A FEW FRIENDS USED MY VAN TO GO HUNTING. OVER THE COURSE OF THAT MONTH HIS FRIEND WEIGHING IN AT 300 POUND SAT IN THE CENTER REAR SEAT. THE SEAT BELT SNAPS INTO PLACE ON THE SIDE OF THAT SEAT. DURING THAT MONTH OF GETTING IN AND OUT AND PLOPPING DOWN ON IT, IT BROKE AND NOW I HAVE TO REPLACE IT IN ORDER TO USE IT AGAIN. BUT IM AFRAID THAT IF IT COULD BRAKE BECAUSE SOMEONE SAT ON IT THEN HOW EASILY COULD IT BREAK DURING AN ACCIDENT. PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO DO AN IN DEPTH INVESTIGATION OF IT BEFORE SOMEONE IS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE SEAT BELT BREAKS AND SOMEONE IS HURT OR WORSE KILLED. *NM
DRIVING ON INTERSTATE WITH SPEED LIMIT OF 70 MPH... WAS DRIVING ABOUT 77 MPH AT THE TIME... VEHICLE'S FACTORY INSTALLED CRUISE CONTROL WAS IN USE... SPEEDOMETER BEGAN TO FLUCTUATE WILDLY BETWEEN ABOUT 60 MPH AND MAXIMUM (OVER 120 MPH)... VEHICLE'S SPEED REMAINED CONSTANT - TROUBLE WAS JUST WITH THE SPEEDOMETER... VEHICLE HAS 90,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER... 1997 FORD WINDSTAR... SPEEDOMETER DOESN'T FLUCTUATE WILDLY AT MOST SPEEDS OVER 30 MPH... FROM CHECKING ON WEB THIS HAS HAPPENED TO OTHER OWNERS OF FORD WINDSTARS - THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *JB
NEXT CARS USA IN BAKERSFIELD CALIFORNIA SOLD US A FORD WINDSTAR WHICH WAS DEFECTIVE (A LEMON). WITHIN TWO WEEK AFTER OUR PURCHASE THE VEHICLE CUT OFF JEOPARDIZING THE SAFETY OF MY CHILDREN EACH TIME WE PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. WE HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO NEXT CARS FOR REPAIRS AND TO DATE WE ARE NOW MOVING INTO OUR THIRD MONTH WITHOUT TRANSPORTATION. WHEN WE INQUIRED ABOUT A LOAN VEHICLE JUAN CASILLAS (MANAGER) RESPONSE WAS THAT "WE DON'T DO THAT." WE HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU AND WHEN NEXT CARS RECEIVED THE COMPLAINT ON MARCH 8, 2006 JUAN CASILLAS TOLD US THAT "WE JUST STOPPED WORKING ON THE CAR BECAUSE YOU PISSED US OFF." WE ARE AT OUR WITS END AND SO WE ARE SUBMITTING THIS COMPLAINT FOR AN INVESTIGATION. *JB
DT: THE CONTACT STATES HAS BEEN HAVING SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE SINCE 2002. ON APRIL 28, 2004 THE SPEEDOMETER WAS NOT PROVIDING AN ACCURATE SPEED READING. ON DECEMBER 9, 2004 THE SLIDING DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK OR SLIDE PROPERLY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR AND DETERMINED THAT THE SLIDE WHEELS WERE DRY. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE DOOR LATCH, AND NOW IT NEEDED REPLACEMENT AGAIN. ON FEBRUARY 5, 2005 THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED AT 75, 172 MILES, AND ON NOVEMBER 21, 2005 THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND WAS REPLACED. ALL REPAIRS HAVE BEEN DONE AT CONTACT'S EXPENSE.*AK
BEHIND IN PAYMENTS. FORD MOTOR CREDIT ISSUED WRITE OF SUMMONS ON 7/3/03, TRIAL SCHEDULED FOR 9/22/03. ON 7/29/03, WHILE AT WORK, VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE, DAMAGING 2 OTHER VEHICLES PARKED ON EITHER SIDE OF ME. FIRE MARSHALL INVESTIGATED THE INCIDENT AND FOUND TO BE AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. INSURANCE INVESTIGATED AND VEHICLE WAS TOTAL LOSS. INSURANCE PAID FORD MOTOR CREDIT $5,689.25 (CLAIM [XXX]). FORD MOTOR CREDIT OBTAINED JUDGMENT AND WAGES ARE CURRENTLY BEING GARNISHED ON A VEHICLE THAT WAS CLAIMED A TOTAL LOSS DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. *JB UPDATED 07/18/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
ON AUGUST 20TH, WHILE IN A REPAIR SHOP HAVING THE MOTORS REPLACED IN THE WINDOWS OF MY FORD WINDSTAR 1997, THERE WAS A FIRE UNDER THE HOOD WHILE THE CAR WAS OFF. THE MECHANIC PUT THE FIRE OUT AND I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC THE SAME DAY. THE CRUISE CONTROL MECHANISM WAS WHAT CAUGHT FIRE. AFTER SEEING MY MECHANIC I CALLED THE FORD HOTLINE AND ASKED ABOUT RECALL INFORMATION. THEY SAID THEY WOULD GET BACK AHOLD OF ME IN TWO DAYS, AND THEY DID NOT. TODAY, AUGUST 30TH, WHILE IN WAL-MART WITH MY CHILDREN I WAS PAGED TO THE PARKING LOT. MY CAR HAD CAUGHT FIRE AGAIN, WHILE OFF AND WITH NO KEY IN THE IGNITION. THE ENGINE WAS DESTROYED, AND LUCKILY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED IN TIME TO PUT THE FIRE OUT BEFORE THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR WAS DESTROYED (CAR SEATS, STROLLERS, ETC.). *NM
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
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