Model year record

1997 Ford Windstar

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

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.

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.