Model year record

1997 Ford Windstar

5 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 249 owner complaints on file.

Ford Windstar, 1995–1998 generation
Pictured: the 1995–1998 generation. MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 09V399000

Vehicle speed control

Component
Vehicle speed control
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
4,500,000
Reported to NHTSA
2009-10-13
Owners notified
2009-10-27

Defect description

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 SWITCH (SCDS). THE SCDS MAY LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.

Safety risk

A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING.

Manufacturer 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 AS NECESSARY. REPAIRS WILL BE COMPLETED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 27, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.

Recall campaignNHTSA 01V199000

Suspension: front: springs: coil springs

Component
Suspension: front: springs: coil springs
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
198,583
Reported to NHTSA
2001-06-18
Owners notified
2001-09-06

Defect description

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 FRONT COIL SPRINGS COULD FRACTURE AS A RESULT OF CORROSION. DEPENDING ON THE LOCATION OF THE FRACTURE, A BROKEN SPRING COULD MOVE PAST THE SPRING SEAT AND CONTACT A FRONT TIRE.

Safety risk

SOME TIRES HAVE DEFLATED DUE TO CONTACT WITH A BROKEN SPRING.

Manufacturer 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 RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Recall campaignNHTSA 00V168000

Exterior lighting

Component
Exterior lighting
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
20,637
Reported to NHTSA
2000-06-19
Owners notified
2000-07-19

Defect description

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 THE U.S. ERRONEOUSLY.

Safety risk

THE LIGHT GIVEN OFF FROM THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS IS BRIGHTER THAN ALLOWED BY U.S. STANDARDS.

Manufacturer remedy

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

Recall campaignNHTSA 99V147000

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder

Component
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
789,723
Reported to NHTSA
1999-06-14
Owners notified
1999-06-16

Defect description

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 NO. 135, "PASSENGER CAR BRAKE SYSTEMS."

Manufacturer remedy

OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH NEW LABELS AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS.

Recall campaignNHTSA 97V097000

Power train: automatic transmission

Component
Power train: automatic transmission
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
100,000
Reported to NHTSA
1997-06-09
Owners notified
1997-06-30

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER TEMPERATURE MAY BE HOT ENOUGH TO IGNITE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND CAUSE A VEHICLE FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TRANSMISSION AND REPLACE THESE SERVO COVERS.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Suspension: front: springs: coil springs25100,349 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine2277,000 mi
Power train20—
Vehicle speed control1890,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission15146,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling1082,200 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip10—
Parking brake: conventional5—
Suspension590,000 mi
Suspension: front5—
Wheels: rim570,000 mi
Electrical system4135,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline4—
Seats4115,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic487,000 mi
Unknown or other494,000 mi
Air bags: frontal3—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system3—
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)3—
Structure: frame and members385,000 mi
Tires3—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system270,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch2—
Power train: driveline: differential unit2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: ABS warning light288,890 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum2—
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar2—
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)2—
Steering: hydraulic power assist system275,172 mi
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly212,000 mi
Structure: body213,000 mi
Structure: body: door2—
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator1—
Electrical system: ignition: module1—
Electrical system: starter assembly1—
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner1—
Fuel system, gasoline1—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump1—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system1—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage177,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap1—
Interior lighting1—
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch175,172 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: hatchback/liftgate: lock1—
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch1—
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines1—
Power train: axle assembly: banjo housing1—
Power train: driveline: constant velocity joint1—
Power train: manual transmission1—
Seat belts1139,000 mi
Seat belts: front1—
Seat belts: front: webbing1—
Seats: front assembly: head restraint1—
Seats: front assembly: recliner1—
Seats: mid/rear assembly1—
Service brakes, air: antilock1—
Service brakes, electric1100,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: fluid1191,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: drum1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings170,000 mi
Steering1—
Steering: hydraulic power assist: power steering fluid1—
Steering: linkages1—
Steering: linkages: arm: idler and attachment1—
Steering: rack and pinion1—
Structure1—
Structure: body: tailgate1—
Suspension: front: macpherson strut1—
Suspension: front: stabilizer bar1—
Suspension: rear1—
Suspension: rear: axle: non-powered axle assembly1140,000 mi
Tires: tread/belt182,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal1—
Vehicle speed control: cruise control1140,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: linkages180,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system1—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: windshield: electrical heating element1—
Visibility: power window devices and controls1140,000 mi
Visibility: windshield1—
Wheels187,000 mi

The 1996 model has about a fifth as many complaints as this one. The 1998 model has about a fifth as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Other Ford Windstar model years

All Ford Windstar recalls by year

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.