How many recalls does the 1997 Ford Windstar have?

The 1997 Ford Windstar has 5 NHTSA safety recall campaigns on record.

How do I check if my 1997 Ford Windstar has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN at NHTSA's official recall lookup (nhtsa.gov/recalls) to see open, unrepaired recalls for your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are free.

What do owners complain about most on the 1997 Ford Windstar?

Of 249 NHTSA complaints on file, the most-reported component is suspension.

1997 Ford Windstar Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 1997 Ford Windstar has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 5,608,943 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 249 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the suspension. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 09V399000 2009-10-13 4,500,000 affected

Defect

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…

Consequence

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

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,…

SUSPENSION 01V199000 2001-06-18 198,583 affected

Defect

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…

Consequence

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

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.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 00V168000 2000-06-19 20,637 affected

Defect

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…

Consequence

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

Remedy

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

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 99V147000 1999-06-14 789,723 affected

Defect

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…

Remedy

OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH NEW LABELS AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS.

POWER TRAIN 97V097000 1997-06-09 100,000 affected

Defect

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.

Consequence

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

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TRANSMISSION AND REPLACE THESE SERVO COVERS.

Complaints by component

SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

POWER TRAIN

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

121

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL

SUSPENSION

SUSPENSION:FRONT

Total complaints249

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“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…”

SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY · reported 2014-05-08

“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…”

SUSPENSION · reported 2012-08-10

“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…”

STRUCTURE:BODY · reported 2011-08-22

“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.…”

SUSPENSION · reported 2011-04-13

“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…”

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING · reported 2010-05-28

“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…”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2010-05-28

“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…”

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL · reported 2010-01-19

“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…”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2009-11-10

Defect investigations

Investigation EA00027 Opened 2000-12-08 · closed 2001-07-31

SUSPENSION COIL SPRING BREAKAGE

There is no summary currently available

Investigation EA00027 Opened 2000-12-08 · closed 2001-07-31

SUSPENSION COIL SPRING BREAKAGE

There is no summary currently available

Investigation EA03004 Opened 2003-04-10 · closed 2004-08-30

WHEEL STUD FRACTURE

THE SUBJECT VEHICLES RANGE IN AGE FROM 4?7 YEARS IN SERVICE, WITH AVERAGE MILEAGES ESTIMATED TO RANGE FROM 50 TO 100 THOUSAND MILES.AT THESE MILEAGES, THE SUBJECT WHEELS ARE LIKELY TO HAVE BEEN REMOVED AND REINSTALLED MULTIPLE TIMES FOR VARIOUS SERVICE PROCEDURES.ODI IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE HIGH WHEEL SEPARATION RATES…

Investigation EA03004 Opened 2003-04-10 · closed 2004-08-30