Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 1997 Ford Windstar
NHTSA data on file today
The 1997 Ford Windstar has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file as of . try.vin has no NHTSA owner complaints on file for the 1997 Ford Windstar. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #09V399000 SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH/OVERHEATS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #01I007000 FORD/FRONT COIL SPRINGS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #01V199000 FORD/FRONT COIL SPRING CORROSION NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #00V168000 FORD/FMVSS 108/DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #99V147000 FORD/FMVSS 135/WARNING STATEMENT NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #97V097000 FORD/AUTO TRANSMISSION NHTSA notice
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $5,500–$9,500AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 1997 Ford Windstar has six recall campaigns, notably for front coil spring fractures and speed control issues. The absence of owner complaints suggests limited data, but the multiple recalls indicate potential reliability issues. More information is needed for a comprehensive assessment.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Front coil springs | Unknown | $400–$700 | common |
| Transmission | Unknown | $1,200–$3,000 | occasional |
| Brake master cylinder | Unknown | $150–$400 | rare |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter changes
- Brake fluid replacement
- Transmission fluid service
- Cooling system flush
- Tire rotation and balance
- Air filter replacement
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Front end suspension noises
- Transmission fluid leaks
- Brake fluid warning light
- Inconsistent speed control
- Illumination issues with lights
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 1997 Ford Windstar at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.