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Model Year Problem Record

Ford Windstar 1997 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 1997 Ford Windstar: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

192Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints
5Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls
15Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations
17Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Power Train46 complaints

46 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 97V097000.

Engine41 complaints

41 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension39 complaints

39 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 01V199000.

Brakes32 complaints

32 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 99V147000.

Vehicle Speed Control21 complaints

21 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 09V399000.

Steering13 complaints

13 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure9 complaints

9 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats7 complaints

7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Electrical System7 complaints

7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels6 complaints

6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Air Bags3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Latches, Locks and Linkages3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting1 complaints

1 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 00V168000.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

00V168000Reported June 19, 2000 - 20,637 vehicles potentially affected

Lighting. Recall covering the lighting system, reported to NHTSA on June 19, 2000. The campaign covers an estimated 20,637 vehicles across all affected models.

01V199000Reported June 18, 2001 - 198,583 vehicles potentially affected

Suspension. Recall covering the suspension system, reported to NHTSA on June 18, 2001. The campaign covers an estimated 198,583 vehicles across all affected models.

09V399000Reported October 13, 2009 - 4,500,000 vehicles potentially affected

Vehicle Speed Control. Recall covering the vehicle speed control system, reported to NHTSA on October 13, 2009. The campaign covers an estimated 4,500,000 vehicles across all affected models.

97V097000Reported June 9, 1997 - 100,000 vehicles potentially affected

Power Train. Recall covering the power train system, reported to NHTSA on June 9, 1997. The campaign covers an estimated 100,000 vehicles across all affected models.

99V147000Reported June 14, 1999 - 789,723 vehicles potentially affected

Brakes. Recall covering the brakes system, reported to NHTSA on June 14, 1999. The campaign covers an estimated 789,723 vehicles across all affected models.

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

EA00027Opened December 8, 2000 - Closed July 31, 2001

SUSPENSION COIL SPRING BREAKAGE. Resulted in recall campaign 01I007000.

EA03004Opened April 10, 2003 - Closed August 30, 2004

WHEEL STUD FRACTURE. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

EA03004Opened April 10, 2003 - Closed August 30, 2004

WHEEL STUD FRACTURE. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

EA08021Opened September 17, 2008 - Closed October 14, 2009

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES. Resulted in recall campaign 09V399000.

EA08021Opened September 17, 2008 - Closed October 14, 2009

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES. Resulted in recall campaign 09V399000.

EA08021Opened September 17, 2008 - Closed October 14, 2009

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES. Resulted in recall campaign 09V399000.

EA08021Opened September 17, 2008 - Closed October 14, 2009

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES. Resulted in recall campaign 09V399000.

EA08021Opened September 17, 2008 - Closed October 14, 2009

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES. Resulted in recall campaign 09V399000.

EA08021Opened September 17, 2008 - Closed October 14, 2009

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES. Resulted in recall campaign 09V399000.

EA08021Opened September 17, 2008 - Closed October 14, 2009

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES. Resulted in recall campaign 09V399000.

EA99020Opened July 26, 1999 - Closed December 16, 1999

FUEL TANK CRACKS. Resulted in recall campaign 99V309000.

PE00024Opened June 23, 2000 - Closed December 8, 2000

SUSPENSION COIL SPRING BREAKAGE. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE08035Opened May 13, 2008 - Closed September 17, 2008

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE08035Opened May 13, 2008 - Closed September 17, 2008

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE08035Opened May 13, 2008 - Closed September 17, 2008

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

19976
199812
199932
200021
200139
200226
200320
200411
20053
20067
20072
20083
20093
20103
20111
20122
20141
How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.