Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1997 Ford Windstar owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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 and exited the van and saw that the passenger side of the hood was on fire. I ran to the passenger side and opened the sliding door, and got my 18 month old and 4 year old out of the vehicle. After we were all a safe distance away I saw that most of the hood of the van was in flames. By the time the fire department arrived about 5 minutes later, the entire hood was on fire with a lot of black smoke. The entire engine compartment looks charred and partially melted. The vehicle is beyond repair. I'm thankful my children are safe but I am very concerned about the safety (failure) of this vehicle.
Failed head gasket LED to a piston rod shooting through the oil pan. Very dangerous for the cars behind me as oil was shooting over the highway. Slippery for cars following, and went on other cars paint and windshields. Head gaskets were recalled in previous 3 years of vehicles 1993-96 Ford windstars, 1997 was not on a recall even though the problem was never correctly fixed. Highly dangerous and highly irresponsible of the automaker to not include additional cars in the recall effort.
I bought this 1997 Ford Windstar in March of 2003. The very next day I returned to the independent car dealer due to the check engine light was on. They said nothing was wrong and they reset the light. Within a week it was on again and this time they said it was a fluxation in the electrical current and it was making the light come on. They reset it. About 2 weeks later it is losing coolant somewhere and running rough, they check it and now it needs 2 out of 4 oxygen sensors replaced im told. They pay for it if they truly fixed it because about 2-3 weeks later I am havint the same problems so they replace the other 2 oxygen sensors, but cannot explain the coolant loss. …
At 150,000km (94,000 miles) was in for front spring recall and dealer recommended engine front gasket replacement. Immediately had this repair done ($900 cdn). Shortly after my mechanic stated that he could hear a slight knocking and predicted the engine bearing would go within the year. I started campaining with Ford based on the history of gasket failure (coolant leaks past gasket into oil causing bearing failure). Ford customer care said they need a dealer to diagnose the problem so had a dealer check it out with no problem found. At close to 170,000km (106,000 miles) the knocking became louder and the oil light began to flicker. Again contacted Ford who asked for dealer diagnosis which I did and confirmed need engine replacement. …
Have a 97 Ford Windstar all of a sudden I had a tire blow completely here to find out that the coil spring on drivers front broke and went into tire, then to find out there was a recall 2 years ago on it but was never notified of it and also a few weeks ago, van all of a sudden kept getting real hot with rolling white smoke just to find out that there was problems with the head gaskets on these windstars but yet still was never notified, this is not right, I feel we were cheated, now have a van that sits and still owe $10,000 on because I'm a family man of six and cannot afford the cost of these major repairs, I'm afraid of what might of happened if this would of blew with all my family in it on a highway, is this how the Ford company treats their consumers by lying and decieving them.
I bought my 1997 Windstar used 6 months ago with 87,000 on it, I have driven only 3,000 miles and my engine blew with no warning. This was the most expensive used car I had ever owned and we did everything we could before we bought it..we checked the VIN report on carfax...we had the vehicle checked out by our own mechanic. I thought I had found a great (dream for me)vehicle. Ben satcher Ford in sc said there was no recall on this car only the 95 model and that problem had been since fixed. So I'm stuck with paying $3000 for a new engine while I still owe $6000 on my vehicle. This vehicle is the only way I can transport my 3 children around together, our other vehicle is a pick-up with only front seats...so were stranded.
Tl contact owns a 1997 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that the front end of the vehicle was abnormally low. Upon further inspection, he noticed that the front coil springs fractured due to excessive rust. The failure caused the tires to deflate. The dealer stated that the VIN was excluded from NHTSA campaign id number 01V199000 (suspension:front:springs:coil springs); therefore, they would not assume responsibility for any repairs. The vehicle has not been repaired according to the recall. The failure mileage was 70,000 and current mileage was 90,000. Updated 6/4/09 the exhaust system was replaced and brake lines snapping. Updated 06/09/09.
Dt: the contact states has been having several problems with vehicle since 2002. On April 28, 2004 the speedometer was not providing an accurate speed reading. On December 9, 2004 the sliding door would not unlock or slide properly. The dealer replaced the door lock actuator and determined that the slide wheels were dry. The dealership replaced the door latch, and now it needed replacement again. On February 5, 2005 the engine was replaced at 75, 172 miles, and on November 21, 2005 the power steering failed and was replaced. All repairs have been done at contact's expense.
At a routine nys inspection, the Ford dealer advised that the head gaskets needed to be replaced. The car is 6 years old with 36K miles. Called Ford for assistance, and got profuse apologizes, and no help with a $1600.00 repair. The car is exhibiting no symptoms of any problems, and I do not have the money for the repair. For such low mileage, I think that fmc should make some attempt to assist with this complaint. They are certainly aware of the problem with the 95 & 96 windstars!!
Due to a faulty head gasket, anti freeze leaked into the oil and ruined the engine. The dealer refused to replace the vehicles faulty gaskets free of charge because the vehicle's warranty had expired. The consumer indicated that a recall was issued on the vehicle but the dealer still refused to repair the vehicle.
Engine complaints in other Windstar years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 1997 Ford Windstar?
NHTSA has 38 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 1997 Ford Windstar, 20% of the model year's 192 complaints. The component named most often is engine (22 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Ford Windstar engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 1997 Ford Windstar, though it has 5 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1997 Ford Windstar engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 77,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 2 fires and 0 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.