Vehicle Speed Control
NHTSA campaign 09V399000 · 2009 · reported 10/13/2009
A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
1997 Ford Windstar Problems & Recalls
Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026
High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs — runs 2.5× the fleet median for that category across the 965 model-years tracked on this site.
192Complaints
6Recalls
6Crashes
9Fires
5Injured
0Deaths
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Is this problem acknowledged?
The most-reported problem — Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs (13% of complaints) — is covered by 2 NHTSA recall campaigns.
Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs complaints here are 2.5× the median for that category across the 965 model-years tracked on this site.
5 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 1 rests on owner reports alone.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs | 25 · 13% | Recalled | Recall 01V199000 · Recall 01I007000 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:engine | 22 · 11.5% | No official action | — |
| Power Train | 20 · 10.4% | Recalled | Recall 97V097000 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 18 · 9.4% | Recalled | Recall 09V399000 |
| Power Train:automatic Transmission | 15 · 7.8% | Recalled | Recall 97V097000 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip | 10 · 5.2% | Recalled | Recall 99V147000 |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Complaints by component
Percentages are the share of the 192 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
Recalls — 6 campaigns
Exterior Lighting
NHTSA campaign 00V168000 · 2000 · reported 06/19/2000
THE LIGHT GIVEN OFF FROM THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS IS BRIGHTER THAN ALLOWED BY U.S. STANDARDS. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs
NHTSA campaign 01V199000 · 2001 · reported 06/18/2001
SOME TIRES HAVE DEFLATED DUE TO CONTACT WITH A BROKEN SPRING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs
NHTSA campaign 01I007000 · 2001 · reported 07/12/2001
SOME TIRES HAVE DEFLATED DUE TO CONTACT WITH A BROKEN SPRING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Power Train:automatic Transmission
NHTSA campaign 97V097000 · 1997 · reported 06/09/1997
THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER TEMPERATURE MAY BE HOT ENOUGH TO IGNITE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND CAUSE A VEHICLE FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder
NHTSA campaign 99V147000 · 1999 · reported 06/14/1999
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.… Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What owners report
“FROM 12,000 MILES TO PRESENT MILEAGE, THE VEHICLE HAD THREE TRANSMISSIONS REPLACED WITHIN FIVE YEARS, AND THE PROBLEM IS REOCCURRING. DEALER NOTIFIED. THE DRIVER SIDE…”NHTSA complaint 8008725 — filed 04/29/2002 · SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
“VEHICLE WAS SERVICED FOR RECALL CAMPAIGN 01V199000 WHERE DEALERSHIPINSTALLED PROTECTIVE SHIELDS AROUND FRONT COIL SPRINGS TO PREVENT CORROSION. HOWEVER, WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO USE SNOW…”NHTSA complaint 8001450 — filed 01/03/2002 · SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
“WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE. CONSUMER STATED THAT MANUFACTURER PAID FOR THE REPAIRS.*SLC”NHTSA complaint 8001289 — filed 12/31/2001 · SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Complaint trend by year filed
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1997 Ford Windstar?
Suspension:front:springs:coil springs issues are the most-reported category, cited in 25 of 192 NHTSA complaints (13%), followed by engine and engine cooling:engine (22), power train (20), vehicle speed control (18). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many complaints does the 1997 Ford Windstar have?
192 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 6 involved a crash, 9 involved a fire, and 5 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Does the 1997 Ford Windstar have any recalls?
Yes — 6 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 09V399000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Has NHTSA acted on the 1997 Ford Windstar's reported problems?
5 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
Is a complaint proof of a defect?
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.
