1997 Ford Windstar Engine And Engine Cooling:engine Problems
NHTSA component category: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
How engine and engine cooling:engine ranks on this vehicle
Share of the 192 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 1997 Ford Windstar overview page.
What owners report
“CONSUMER STATES HEAD GASKET BLEW, CONSISTENT WITH HISTORICAL PROBLEM ON THIS ENGINE, DEALER INITIALLY PAID ONE HALF OF REPAIR DUE TO HISTORY.”NHTSA complaint 8005988 — filed 03/20/2002
“THIS CAR HAD A BLOWN HEAD GASKET AFTER ONLY 80000 MILES. IT IS A 3.8 L ENGINE THAT HAS A HISTORY OF FAILURES. HOW LONG…”NHTSA complaint 747418 — filed 06/26/2001
“MECHANIC STATES THAT VEHICLE HAS A HISTORY OF HEAD GASKET FAILURES IN PREVOIUS YEARS.”NHTSA complaint 740313 — filed 02/01/2001
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine complaints by year filed
Frequently asked questions
Does the 1997 Ford Windstar have engine and engine cooling:engine problems?
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine is the #2 most-reported problem area on the 1997 Ford Windstar: 22 of 192 complaints on file (11.5%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.
How many complaints does the 1997 Ford Windstar have in total?
192 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 6 involved a crash, 9 involved a fire, 5 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.
What does NHTSA's engine and engine cooling:engine category include?
NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.
