Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
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 have 1997 Ford Windstar. Feb. 1, 2007 I was going about 20 MPH, andpassenger front spring shattered. I had to have it towed. My mechanic saud I was lucky I was not on the expressway when it happened. I had it fixed, it cost me $1036.00. I called Ford to try and get reimbursed, and they told me that I did not have it repaired at a Ford dealer. If I had known they were bad I would have. I never received any warning at all. They did not even have me down as the registered owner. Here is the recall # 011007000, front coil spring corrosion. They said it covers from 1995-1998 windstars. Here is my VIN. #2fmda514vbd14446. All I would like is to get some of my money back, I live on $699. A month, and for them to admit I was covered. They are being really nasty about this. I was told to call by fox 6 in milwaukee, katrina cravy consumer reporter.
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.
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.
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 failure mileage was 90,000. Updated 09/21/12 the vehicle was repaired by a local mechanic at the owner's expense. The dealer was made aware of failures. Updated 09/26/2012
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Ford Windstar. While driving at 45 MPH the power steering failed. The front spring failed and punctured the front passenger tire. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to the side of the road. The contact stated that recall #01i007000: suspension:front:springs:coil springs was related to the failure. The manufacturer advised the contact that the recall expired. The current and failure mileage was 142,000.
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 mileage was 140,000 and the current mileage was 140,000.
Tl contact owns a 1997 Ford Windstar. While driving 20 MPH the passenger side tire exploded causing the front end to hit the ground. The contact observed that the front coil spring was broken. The vehicle was not diagnosed by a dealer. The current and failure mileages were 132,000.
My wife, melissa has been following this problem for over a year and a half, she has been told by the mechanic at campus Ford that there has been problems with the front end suspension on for Windstar's, he stopped short of saying anymore. Our car has been in the service dept at this dealership on and off for the last year and a half. We keep having different stories told to us, and told that the problem doesnot exist..well we just paid 350.00 dollars for new welding on the front suspension, we have had the struts replaced and a spring replaced, we also had unusual tire ware on the rt passenger side and the tire replaced. We are worried about this problem, we have two children and my wife is a visiting nurse and drives alot, the dealership is poo-pooing her off like she is a nobody...please help us.
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 chains for use in inclement weather, the snow cable on the right/front wheel made contact with the protective shield and caused shield to shear off. Approximate distance between tire without chain and protective shield was 1/4 of an inch. This incident occurred while traveling approximately 25 to 30 MPH in snow. The part is available for inspection. Consumer feels that the dealer needs to warn consumers of this when recall repairs are made.
Passenger side rear brake drum cracked but was not noticed immediately. When it was repaired, there was severe damage to all components within the drum. It seems very unusual that this happened, especially considering the low mileage of the vehicle. This is one of numerous failures this vehicle has had in the last 6 months. I had the driver front coil spring break, but it was eventually recalled. Based on the complaints about this vehicle in your database, I feel this vehicle is very unsafe, and not reliable. Ford has had many recalls for various vehicles in the past 2 to 3 months.
Related recalls
Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil springs
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 district of…
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…
NHTSA investigations
Suspension coil spring breakage
There is no summary currently available
Suspension coil spring breakage
There is no summary currently available
Suspension complaints in other Windstar years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 1997 Ford Windstar?
NHTSA has 38 complaints about the suspension of the 1997 Ford Windstar, 20% of the model year's 192 complaints. The component named most often is front › springs › coil springs (25 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Ford Windstar suspension problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 01V-199 (coil springs, Jun 18, 2001). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1997 Ford Windstar suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 100,000 miles.
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.